For at least three decades he has been a familiar face on the waters off Belize City, Caye Caulker and all points in between. On Sunday the Belize Audubon Society finally took the opportunity to honour Lionel "Chocolate" Heredia for his life long dedication to Belize's environment. Heredia received the society's James A. Waight Conservation Award, specifically for his educational activities and advocacy for the official protection of Swallow Caye and its numerous manatees. That area was put under government protection in 2002. The James A. Waight award, named after Audubon's first president, was first presented in 1987 and since that time has been given annually.

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WAY 2 GO CHOCOLATE! Congratulations!

Well deserved !... congratulations !

Thats fantastic to hear, some of you may remmeber a couple of years ago a group of world challengers came to your island and repaired and painted the kids playground next door to chocolates place, he rewarded us by taking us to the reef free of charge....what a wonderful experience.

would like to thank chocolate once again, and well done for all the hard work he has put in to Belize's environment.

Congratulations.

I dont know Chocolate personally but spoke to his wife for a while today and got some good info on Belize and its eco problems(crazy dam project for example).

Nice to know there are people with the knowledge and the commitment to look after what is here and insire others to do the same.

Hello.
I am a Landscape Architect who's practice has been focused on Ecological, Terrestial and Cultural restoration for over a decade. I am also on the board of the Northwest chapter of the International Society for Ecological Restoration. We will be staying at Caye Caulker at the end of October and early November of this year. I would like to meet "Chocolate" if he has the time and inclination to meet with visitors.
Please pass my message on if possible.
Thank you